The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - Does God hear the prayer of the Unconverted Child?

JOwen · #13 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOwen

I agree that we should teach our children to pray (for a new heart, to give them faith, etc). However, I also think we should stay clear of teaching that that there is any access to the throne of grace other than through mediation. Covenant children do not have a pass to the Father simply because they are baptized. As if Covenant gives them some second way to the Father than through th meditorial office of Christ bypassing the crosswork & regeneration. Dr. Jonathan Gerstler called the prayers of the reprobate, "sinful good works". I tend to agree. Any thoughts? If unregenerate children of the covenant (by baptism) are still dead in their trespasses and sins then,
"The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous" (Pro 15:29). "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth" (Joh 9:31 ).

Thoughts?

My thoughts are this: why ask about children in the above. Insert {adult} anywhere that you type {children} above and the same issue applies.

This is the difference between the Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of Redemption. The Covenant of Grace is a historic outworking of God's plan to save an Elect for Himself. Of course we maintain that the reprobate do not participate in Christ's mediatorial work except that they have been united to Him by faith that is born from above. Yet it is fundamental to visible Covenant participation that all in the Covenant are called to obedience by the Gospel and are administered the Sacraments for strengthening toward that end. In a visible sense, it is impious to go around wondering if someone in the congregation is elect/reprobate and treating them differently on the basis of speculation. Hebrews repeatedly commands that we strive together, fear together, and consider how we might spur one another on toward love and good works. It doesn't encourage us to tell a child or an adult to divine for themselves whether they are elect or reprobate and, on that basis, determine whether they should call upon the Name of the Lord.

Rather, a day has been apppinted called Today: Today if you hear His voice do not harden your heart.

I remember a man that I attended Church with a few years ago that wanted to believe the Gospel (and had believed it) but got a hold of some of this kind of speculative material. He convinced himself that he must be one of those reprobate people that deceives themselves that they believe but, in fact, he was convinced he was reprobate and nothing could be done. I can't tell you how heartbroken I was to think that the man had his head filled with nonsense that he was supposed to focus on the hidden things of God. The Gospel is not held out to us that we might ask the question: am I elect and, if so, I shall believe. The Gospel is announced to us to believe and, in our believing, we shall be saved.

Here is the context of the statement I made this morning on the first service. It was after the administration of baptism to a new baby. I said the following, and a few eyebrows were raised to it. Looking for feedback.

Quote:

Sub-point #3. Train Them in the Duty of Prayer

Some will shirk from this because they cannot believe that one unconverted might offer prayer to God. And while it is true, that God does not hear the prayer of the unconverted in a favorable way (unless it is the prayer of faith), it so lowers our children before the Creator that they might very well be taught of God in their prayers. Pray often in their midst. One Puritan said that "A home without prayer is like a home without a roof, open and exposed to all the storms of heaven".
Parents, if you love your children, do all that lies in your power to train them in the discipline of prayer. Show them how to start. Tell them what to say. Encourage them to persevere, to beg for a new heart. This, remember, is the first step in religion which a child is able to take. Long before she can read, you can teach her to kneel by her mother’s side, and repeat the simple words of prayer and praise which she puts in hers mouth.

The contention was that I said, "And while it is true, that God does not hear the prayer of the unconverted in a favorable way (unless it is the prayer of faith), it so lowers our children before the Creator that they might very well be taught of God in their prayers."

Thoughts?